Whitebaiters head to the water
The whitebaiting season is underway and Len Davenport has already enjoyed a catch. Photo: Anne Hardie.
Len Davenport has been a regular whitebaiter since he retired six years ago and in the opening days of the season he had already scooped a meal for two.
The Richmond whitebaiter is one of many enthusiasts who have headed to the region’s streams and rivers since the season opened at the beginning of September, intent on catching the juvenile fish that make their way upstream from the sea through spring.
“I said to a joker, when I retire I’m going to take up whitebaiting and he said I wouldn’t have the patience. But I really enjoy the peace and quiet and just being on your own. And you have the view with the reflection all around you of the snow on the mountains.”
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So far, he had not witnessed a ‘run’ of whitebait but says he “can’t complain”.
“I got enough for a meal for two of us when one big shoal came down.”
The season runs until 30 October and whitebaiters need to comply with the Department of Conservation’s whitebaiting fishing guidelines.